Match Report

Growler FC played their debut game as a club in 11 aside Football. Going into the game there was concerns around the team's experience along with seeing out opponents arrive in full tracksuits and warm up tops. But what followed was a great display of football and impressive tactical choices.

Gaffer Morgan opted for a 5-3-2 formation against our opponents, offering secure defensive efforts with clinical attacking threats with Sam Green and Brodie West bossing both sides of the pitch. 

To start the game there were a few nervy passes, touches and challenges which did result in Spartans scoring 2 goals within the first 15 minutes of the fixture (one of these being a hand of god). This was quickly addressed and the team started functioning as one, dominating all areas of the pitch. Some impressive work rate by the likes of Tom Knibbs, Brody West and Sam Green meant the ball was always quickly retained once we lost possession. Some big chances for our forward partnership of Max Preston and Jake Percy unfortunately missed but signs were there on our attacking threats. End of the first half saw Growler 2-0 down. 

Kicking off the second half, Gaffer Morgan made some changes with the likes of Max Green, Finn and Puddle taking the role of the back 3, Layton Breedon playing in the 8 and Sam Farnell appearing up top. A confident initial 20 minutes saw Layton Breedon capitalise on the less than confident Spartans goalkeeper by striking the ball and the keeper making a Karius like error. Now at 2-1. More changes made to the squad in order to allow sufficient playtime and further insight in our squad ability. Unfortunately we conceded another 2 goals, one due to poor communication from a corner another from a great brea by the Spartans winger putting the ball top bins. 

But that wasn't the end for Growler, we continued to press and had multiple chances cleared of the line, saved and narrowly missing the net. Eventually, our big break came from a free kick set up by our set piece coach/chairman Zayn Adshed (Rambo). Isaac plays the ball to Layton on the edge of the box, Layton crosses the ball in and Max Preston tucks it calmly tucks it away. This would be the final step of the match with the referee blowing the full time whistle. 

Overall a great performance from the Growler lads and one that we should all be proud of, our first game and one to learn from - this is the start of the true growler journey. Big things coming this season, we will be back

MOTM: Brody West

DOTD: Aman